• 2 Posts
  • 222 Comments
Joined 2 years ago
Cake day: June 11th, 2023
  • renard_roux@beehaw.orgtoTechnology@beehaw.org•10 to 100 Times Faster than a Starlink Antenna, and Cheaper Than Fiber: Taara Unveils a Laser Internet That Could Shatter the Status Quo
    16·
    1 month ago

    Asked cgpt to compare lasers to microwave for data transmission; take with a grain of salt, but seems transfer rate especially isn’t comparable.

    🔄 Comparison: Laser vs Microwave Data Transmission

    📋 Comparison Table

    Feature Laser Transmission (e.g., Taara) Microwave Transmission
    Medium Free-space optical (light, like a fiber-optic cable without fiber) Radio/microwave frequencies (GHz range)
    Wavelength ~780–1600 nm (near-infrared) ~1–100 GHz
    Typical Data Rate 10–100 Gbps (Taara targets ~20 Gbps and higher) 100 Mbps – 1 Gbps (modern line-of-sight microwave)
    Max Practical Range ~10–20 km, highly sensitive to weather ~30–50 km, more tolerant of weather
    Line-of-Sight Requirement Yes, with tight beam alignment needed Yes, but more forgiving alignment
    Weather Sensitivity High — fog, rain, dust degrade performance Moderate — heavy rain can attenuate signal
    Latency Low Low
    Power Usage Lower power for same data rate Slightly higher power use
    Security High — narrow beam, hard to intercept Moderate — wider beam, easier to jam or intercept
    Deployment Harder — requires precision mounting and stability Easier — flexible mounting, ruggedized equipment
    Cost Higher upfront (optical gear, alignment systems) Lower per-unit, mature market
    Use Cases High-throughput backhaul (rural, terrain-constrained areas) Medium-throughput links, often as telco backbone

    📌 Key Insights

    • Bandwidth: Lasers have a much higher data capacity, similar to fiber optics. Microwave is far more limited in throughput.
    • Range: Microwave wins in raw distance, particularly in less-than-ideal weather. Lasers struggle with any visibility obstruction.
    • Stability: Lasers require precision alignment and environmental stability (wind, vibration can disrupt link). Microwaves are more forgiving.
    • Security: Lasers are harder to intercept due to their tight beams. Microwaves, being broader, are more vulnerable to eavesdropping and interference.

    🧠 When to Use What

    Use Laser Links (e.g., Taara) when:

    • You need fiber-like throughput without laying fiber
    • The link is short to medium range (under 20 km)
    • You can ensure clear line-of-sight and good weather conditions
    • You prioritize security and low interference

    Use Microwave Transmission when:

    • You need a reliable, moderate-speed link over 30–50 km
    • Operating in all weather conditions is a must
    • You want easier setup with more flexibility in alignment
    • Budget constraints are tighter
  • renard_roux@beehaw.orgtoGaming@beehaw.org•Nintendo warns that it can brick Switch consoles if it detects hacking, piracy
    5·
    2 months ago

    I fucking love the thought of paying Big Corporate in ‘exposure’ 😂

    Also my basic experience — nobody lost anything (Linux ISOs, obviously), because the alternative was not me buying something.

    Edit: As an adult, I’ve spent more money on vinyl records in the last decade than I have buying music for the first three quarters of my life. And much of the music in the first three quarters was also on vinyl.

    And then Spotify subscription fees since launch. What is that, 20 years? 😳 And now I’m trying to move to self-hosted because all of Spotify’s buying stock in weapon manufacturers and giving head to Dumbph & Friends is making me retch 🤢